MONGOLIA NAADAM FESTIVAL AND GOBI DESERT JULY 2020 Ignacio Palacios

Transcription

1 MONGOLIA NAADAM FESTIVAL AND GOBI DESERT 8-18 JULY 2020 Ignacio Palacios

2 NAADAM FESTIVAL The Naadam Festival is the only one of its kind: a sophisticated expression of the Mongolian nomadic culture, it is the honored celebration of a national independence, and it is an outstanding combination of arts and sports. During the festival three manly sports are played: wrestling, horseracing and archery, but it also embraces many elements of arts, such as singing, dancing and performing. 2 3

3 GOBI DESERT The Gobi Desert is a vast, arid region known for its dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels. In the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the Khongoryn Els sand dunes are said to sing when the wind blows. If you dare the climb, we will photograph from the top! 4 5

4 MONGOLIA For most of the 20th century, Mongolia was isolated but in the 21st century Mongolia has opened to the world so it is a great opportunity to visit and photograph this amazing country. If you love the outdoors, you ll fall in love with Mongolia. Mongolia offers adventurers some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the world, and the vast cultural richness of what became the largest empire humanity has ever known. Located in the landlocked plateau of Central Asia, between China and Russia, Mongolia covers an area of 1,567,000km, and is the 15th largest country in the world. The total area of Mongolia is larger than the combined areas of Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy and is the seventh biggest country in Asia by the size of its territory. Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, Mongolia entices visitors for a variety of reasons. As a country with a wide territory, it has unique natural and climatic conditions with rich resources and favorable conditions that are ideal for all kinds of activities. Mongolia is not only bursting with picturesque virgin lands, decorated with an array of flora and fauna, but is also home to a great historical and cultural heritage that has been maintained by the Mongolian people through many difficult times. Mongolia has amazing landscapes and a nomadic culture offering a stunning array of photographic opportunities. Travel through the vast steppe to capture images of its horses, traditional ger camps, and camel-herding families. Catch the towering dunes of the Gobi at sunrise and the brilliant Flaming Cliffs at sunset, and spend an amazing time photographing the Golden Eagle Festival, one of Mongolia s most celebrated festivals. Trip Highlights Capture portraits of Mongolian throat singers, camel herders, and traditional nomad families. Learn about their age-old culture; Stay in a ger camp in the Gobi Desert, and set off on photo hikes amid nearby gorges and dunes; Photograph during the Naadam Festival, one of Mongolia s most celebrated festivals; and Meet with monks on a visit to Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, and go on a photo shoot in the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan. 6 Mongolian family and Ger 7

5 ITINERARY DAY 1-8 July Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, capital city of Mongolia and check-in to our centrally located hotel. Transfers to hotel with local guide. Gather for a welcome reception drinks and dinner. Night at Khuvsgul Lake Hotel. DAY 2-9 July Ulaanbaatar/ Tsagaan Suvarga Drive to Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs in the Gobi Desert. Sunset shot of the changing color cliffs. Overnight at Ger camp. Mongolia s nomadic culture is amazing. We will sleep in a herder s ger, help around up the sheep and ride and photograph beautiful horses. A culture of huge hospitality makes locals more accessible. It is great to meet people willing to open their doors to strangers. DAY 3-10 July Tsagaan Suvarga/Dalanzadgad Naadam Festival Early start and drive to Dalanzadgad town. Opening ceremony for Naadam Festival. We will be photographing all day at the Naadam Festival. Overnight at Ger camp. DAY 4 - Dalanzadgad Naadam Festival-Yol Valley We will spend all day at Naadam Festival photographing the horse racing field and wrestling. After lunch we will drive to the mountains and we will visit the Yol Valley. This beautiful valley is named after the Lammergeyer vulture. We will take a good walk inside the gorge for hour and return to our vehicle. Then we will head back to our camp. Overnight at Ger camp. 8 Naadam Festival 59

6 ITINERARY CONTINUED 10 11

7 ITINERARY CONTINUED DAY 5-12 July Yol Valley/ Gobi Desert and Khongor Sand Dunes After breakfast we drive through the mountains and arrive to one of the highest Sand Dunes in the Gobi Desert (The 200m tall Khongor Sand Dune). Sunset shot at the Sand Dunes. Transfer to ger camp. Dinner and overnight at Ger camp. DAY 6-13 July Gobi Desert and Khongor Sand Dunes Sunrise shot at the Sand Dunes. All day at the Gobi Desert/ Sand Dunes. Sunset shot at the Sand Dunes. Dinner and Overnight at Ger camp. DAY 7-14 July Khongor Sand Dunes/Ongi Ruined Monastery Sunrise shot at the Sand Dunes. After breakfast, we will drive through big open steppe. We will work and photograph camels and camel riders. Transfer to ger camp. Visit to Ongi ruined monastery. Overnight at Ger camp. DAY 8-15 July Ongi Ruined Monastery/Kharkhorin town After breakfast, we will drive, and we will have the opportunity to photograph local herdsman, yaks, camels and horses. Overnight at Ger camp. 12 Gobi Desert sand dunes 13

8 ITINERARY CONTINUED Mongolia s landscapes are raw and remote, yet breathtakingly beautiful. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, offers a wonderful dining scene and cultural attractions. Friendly people, wild horses, volcano craters, and stunning alpine scenery await travelers and photographers ready to explore this fascinating country unlike anywhere else in Asia. DAY 9-16 July Kharkhorin town/hustai National Park Horse man photography We will drive to Hustai National Park to photograph the wild horses. At the park, we will organize horse man and horses for a photography session. Overnight at Ger camp. DAY July Hustai National Park/Ulaanbaatar After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Time permitting on day 10 and/or day 11, we will have the opportunity to visit and photograph the Gandan Monastery and the eccentric Winter Palace of Bogd Khan. Gandan Monastery is Mongolia s largest functioning Buddhist monasteries and one of the few to survive the Stalinist purges during the 1930s. Listen to the horns calling lamas and monks to temple and capture the monks daily rituals while visiting the adjoining Megjid Janraisig and Kalachakra Temples. Overnight at Khuvsgul Lake Hotel. DAY July Departure After breakfast, transfers to airport. 14 Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar 15

9 ITINERARY CONTINUED Naadam (The games) is also locally termed eriin gurvan naadam the three games of men. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Women have started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling. Camera skills We will assist you out in the field with the camera skills needed to capture those incredible moments. Regardless of your level and your camera equipment, you will improve your skills as a photographer and you will learn the craft with an expert team. Post-processing During the workshop, we might have the opportunity to process and enhance your images using Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One and other editing software. If the weather is good, we will be out in the nature photographing but there are always opportunities to sit down and work on your images when we are in our hotel/ accommodation. Critique sessions The purpose of critiques is to offer one s impression of a photo. During this session normally at the last day of the tour you will have professional views of your work with a constructive evaluation to include feedback, suggestions and tips. Photography is an art and therefore critiques can often feel personal, but it is often a great learning exercise to have your images reviewed by some professional photographers. Level of photography All skill levels are welcome. We will be providing instruction on all aspects of image capture and post processing and it does not really matter whether you are a beginner or an expert photographer. We welcome photographers using equipment from mobile phones and tablets, compact cameras to digital SLR cameras. If you haven t traveled with me before, you will need to fill a pre-tour questionnaire, so I understand your level and where to focus. Physical requirements Our guides will take us to a range of different locations most of which involve some short walks. Sometimes, we may take longer walks, but all excursions are optional and if you are tired, you can always sleep in and relax in the Gers/hotels. In this expedition there is not strenuous walking/trekking involved. Temperatures can range drastically in the mountains from day to night so packing layers is essential. What to expect in Mongolia The rewards of visiting a seldom-explored country require traveling with flexibility, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services. Mongolia is a developing country in terms of infrastructure; delays or changes in the itinerary are possible, and indeed likely. Accommodation is comfortable and clean and include first-class hotels in Ulaanbaatar and traditional nomadic Gers in the Mongolian countryside (dome-shaped tents constructed of latticed walls, covered by felt and canvas.) There is a greater diversity of food choices nowadays in Mongolia; however, meals are typically meat based. Transportation is by a four-wheel drive vehicle. Most roads are unpaved and are very bumpy and dusty. 16 Portrait of a young girl, West Mongolia 17

10 THE TEAM Ignacio is an experienced travel photographer who has traveled around the world and provided tuition to hundreds of enthusiasts and professionals during their photography workshops and tours. IGNACIO PALACIOS Ignacio Palacios is a Spanish/ Australian travel photographer based on Planet Earth that stops in Sydney from time to time. He is best known for his travel, landscapes and fine art photography. His previous background was in engineering and management consultant for various companies in wind and renewable energies. Although he has been a part time photographer since 1998, he became a full time professional photographer in 2012 following the footsteps of three generations of photographers in his family. Ignacio has traveled around the world since 1998, gathering an extensive collection of images of people, places, wildlife and landscapes across more than 80 countries in five different continents. He is one of the world s few full-time professional photographers/guides and he has led tours to Patagonia, the Altiplano, the Atacama Desert, Galapagos, Spain, Norway, Finland, and Iceland since Ignacio writes and provides images to numerous magazines and publications around the world, such as Luminous Landscape and Lonely Planet books and guides. He has received Australian and International awards and has been a finalist and highly commended in some prestigious competitions such as the NSW AIPP Epson Awards, BBC Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer, National Geographic Travel Contest, Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year, Travel Photography or the Year, IPA, Head On, Eyes on Asia and the International Loupe awards. In 2014 he was awarded with a LUX Gold in Spain (the most prestigious professional photography award in his country) Camel and owner at the Gobi Desert 19

11 TERMS AND CONDITIONS WORKSHOP DATES AND PRICES Tour dates: 8-18 July 2020 The tour commences and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Cost is US$7,490 per person, twin share. Single room supplement: US$690 Maximum 12 participants A deposit of US$2,000 is required when you book the workshop Terms of payment A deposit of US$2,000 must be paid to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable unless you can sell your place to someone else Note: the workshop is quoted in US$. To calculate the rate in AU$, the currency exchange rate will be obtained from the Westpac website at the time of transferring the deposit and balance ( westpac.com.au/personalbanking/services/currencyconverter/). If you are located outside Australia, I accept payments in US$ through PayPal and Transferwise. The payment should be sent in US$. Any bank fees, PayPal or Transferwise fees should be paid. Wire transfers from overseas directly into my bank account are also accepted but the amount in AU$ will have to be calculated taking into account the Westpac currency exchange rate at the time of transferring the deposit. The Registration Form must be filled in and signed by each participant at the time of paying the first deposit. Participation will be declined otherwise The remaining balance must be paid on or before 1 March 2020 Bookings will be accepted strictly in the order they are received All meals, full board All excursions English speaking Mongolian guide throughout the tour who will look after you exclusively All local taxes Horses and camels if vehicles not available Entrance fees in the parks/ reserves, museums, concerts and monasteries Travel agent support letter to apply for Mongolian visa. What s not included Flights to/from Ulaanbaatar Overnight accommodation prior to and following the expedition Travel and cancelation insurance. Please note that travel insurance with emergency evacuation is mandatory as a condition of booking Visas (if required) Camera/Equipment Insurance Optional personal activities Alcohol consumption, extra beverages and souvenirs purchased during the tour outside the main meals Any other personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry, room service etc. Airport Taxes and excess baggage charges (there are no internal flights to be taken on this tour) Video recording or photography fees at sights and performances own discretion and based solely on the level of your service satisfaction. Cancellation Policy A written notice of any cancellation must be received by you at which time the following cancellation fees will apply: If cancelled between 1 March 2020 and end of 1 May 2020, 50% of the workshop cost will be payable If cancelled between 1 May 2020 and before departure, a fee equal to 100% of the workshop cost will be payable Failure to pay by the due dates will be considered a cancellation of the booking and fees paid will be nonrefundable Bookings made after 1 March 2020 must be paid in full No refunds will be made for unused portions of the workshop. The photography workshop is sold as a land package (no airfares included) Cancellation fees are not transferable. Camera gear There is really no limit to what camera gear you take. Check with your airline about weight restrictions. Whatever level of camera equipment you have, we will help to ensure you get the most out of it. Check the camera equipment checklist at the end of the brochure but if you want to discuss specific equipment for this trip, contact me. hiking tour or a trekking tour so nothing extreme will be required. If you have concerns about your own capabilities or health, please check with your doctor before booking a place. By signing the Registration Form, you guarantee that to the best of your knowledge, you do not have any physical or other disability that could create a risk for you or other tour participants. Once a booking has been accepted by IP Travel Photography, medical circumstances will not be accepted as an exemption to the Cancellation Policy above. Within the Registration Form, please indicate any health issues, allergies or dietary requirements. IP Travel Photography does not assume any responsibility or liability for medical care or special dietary requirements. If a participant become ill during the workshop, IP Travel Photography reserves the right to continue the tour for the benefit of the rest of the participants. IP Travel Photography will make every effort to assist you whilst trying to minimize disruption of the workshop for other participants. Visas A valid passport is essential to all international travel; please check the expiry date of your passport, and ensure you have a sufficient number of blank pages for Visas, entry/exit stamps etc. for the entire intended duration of travel. travel agent in Mongolia will provide this so that you can apply for a Visa. Depending on your nationality you might have different requirements, please check with a Mongolian consulate about your specific situation. Rights IP Travel Photography reserves the right to: Substitute hotels/ accommodation Make changes in the itinerary or transport if required due to changes in airline schedules, or when necessary. We may be forced to change or alter the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware, however, that we will attempt to stick as close to the original program as possible Cancel the workshop prior to departure, in which case a full refund of all payments received will be given. If such event occurred, IP Travel Photography will not be responsible for any other expenses such as nonrefundable air fares, visa fees and other related expenses. The responsibility for such bookings lies with the participant. As such, IP Travel Photography recommends participants to purchase a travel protection and cancelation insurance prior to paying the first deposit Substitute the tour leader and guest photographer as originally specified, in which case this substitution will not entitle the participant of a refund a participant in the workshop Change the price of the workshop at any time due to adverse currency exchange fluctuations, airline schedule changes, fuel and tax price charges. Change the price of the workshop at any time due to major unforeseen increases in expedition related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. Liability The operation of the workshop is at the sole discretion of Ignacio Palacios (IP Travel Photography Pty Ltd), having in mind the wellbeing and interests of all participants and the safe and sensible operation of the program as specified within this itinerary IP Travel Photography does not accept any liability for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise of third party providers IP Travel Photography disclaims liability for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or trouble caused by force majeure or any other event which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on IP Travel Photography s part. IP Travel Photography IP Travel Photography Pty Ltd is an ASIC business name with Australian Business Number and registered in Australia under the Business Names Registration. IP Travel Photography (Ignacio Palacios) will guide and provide photography tuition to all participants during the tour. IP Travel Photography is not a travel agent or travel service provider. Important: the workshop Tips/Gratuities Tourist visas A 30-day tourist visa requires a minimum of 4 Note on tips: Gratuities for local is required for most countries Fitness and health participants to run so please guides, hotel staff, butlers etc. and can be easily obtained at any considerations don t book your flights until are not included on this tour. Mongolian embassy, consulate, Run the photography workshop Sometimes participants will be the trip has been confirmed. However, if you feel that any consulate-general or honorary without the guest photographer required to walk on uneven staff has given you exceptional consul. You should also have an if the group size is less than 6 What s included terrain or tracks and hiking. service, it is entirely appropriate invitation from an organisation participants Full 11 days (10 nights) in A basic level of walking fitness to tip them. We emphasize or company in Mongolia. Our 20 Mongolia will help, but this tour is not a Accept or refuse any person as 21 that such tips should be at your

12 CHECKLIST Camera equipment DSLR. To bring a couple of bodies is always recommended. (check your baggage allowance with your airline/travel agent) Tripod with quick release plate Standard zoom, wide angle and telephoto lens Plenty of batteries and a couple of chargers Shutter cable release Polarising filter and ND filters Laptop computer with Photoshop and Lightroom and/ or Capture One External backup drives (SSD recommended) and memory cards for storage. We recommend to shrink-wrap your baggage at your departure airport. Ensure your telephoto lenses are packed in protective packs designed for such lenses. We also recommend that you pack your camera equipment as your hand luggage as much as possible so that if the checked-in baggage is lost or delayed at least you can start photographing as soon as you arrive. What to bring, clothing and other Our accommodation is clean and comfortable with all bedding and towels provided. Hiking boots (well-worn in) and good socks Gore-Tex Thin gloves and hat Water bottle or camel pack Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent Sunglasses Raincoat Head torch Alarm clock/smart phone. IP Travel Photography reserves the right to cancel this workshop. In the event of this happening, all payments received will be refunded but participants shall have no further claim against IP Travel Photography arising from such cancellation. Any such refund will not include payments for any bookings for other services made in addition to the itinerary outlined above. The responsibility for such bookings lies with the participant. As such, IP Travel Photography recommends participants to purchase a travel protection insurance prior to paying the first deposit. To reserve your place for 2020 or to make an enquiry, please ignacio@iptravelphotography. com.au Note: Please contact me if you want to discuss equipment for this trip. 22 Mongolian mountains from a commercial plane 23

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15 TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR 2020 OR TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY, PLEASE IP Travel Photography